William Hazlitt
William Hazlitt
William Hazlittwas an English writer, drama and literary critic, painter, social commentator, and philosopher. He is now considered one of the greatest critics and essayists in the history of the English language, placed in the company of Samuel Johnson and George Orwell. He is also acknowledged as the finest art critic of his age. Despite his high standing among historians of literature and art, his work is currently little read and mostly out of print...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionCritic
Date of Birth10 April 1778
flattery implicit
There is no flattery so adroit or effectual as that of implicit assent.
friendship thinking prejudice
Natural affection is a prejudice; for though we have cause to love our nearest connections better than others, we have no reason to think them better than others.
principles inference egotism
It is a false principle that because we are entirely occupied with ourselves, we must equally occupy the thoughts of others. The contrary inference is the fair one.
wise men hypocrisy
Religion either makes men wise and virtuous, or it makes them set up false pretenses to both.
genius merit assumption
The assumption of merit is easier, less embarrassing, and more effectual than the actual attainment of it.
retirement heart passion
The only true retirement is that of the heart; the only true leisure is the repose of the passions. To such persons it makes little difference whether they are young or old; and they die as they have lived, with graceful resignation.
nice choices principles
What passes in the world for talent or dexterity or enterprise is often only a want of moral principle. We may succeed where others fail, not from a greater share of invention, but from not being nice in the choice of expedients.
imagination want ordinary
The great requisite for the prosperous management of ordinary business is the want of imagination.
life happy-life wells
Well I've had a happy life.
ease elegance precision
Elegance is something more than ease; it is more than a freedom from awkwardness or restraint. It implies, I conceive, a precision, a polish, a sparkling, spirited yet delicate.
modesty speak intimate
To speak highly of one with whom we are intimate is a species of egotism. Our modesty as well as our jealousy teaches us caution on this subject.
hopeful possession
Hope is the best possession.
action states tendencies
Indolence is a delightful but distressing state; we must be doing something to be happy. Action is no less necessary than thought to the instinctive tendencies of the human frame.
hypocrite theatre actors
Actors are the only honest hypocrites.